About

This restaurant is permanently closed. DGS Delicatessen features both traditional & modern Jewish cooking in Dupont Circle. Chef Eric McKamey takes inspiration from the classic delicatessen, while pushing the cuisine in a new and exciting direction. DGS offers 8 day house cured pastrami & corned beef, reubens, handmade matzo ball soup, house cured cold smoked salmon.DGS believes that delicatessen, German for good eats, comes from the soul of the old World Jewish kitchen. In that spirit, DGS brines, cures, smokes and pickles everything served on premises.Beverage Director Brian Zipin crafted a beer, wine and cocktail menu amplifying the bold flavors of the delicatessen.

Food was extremely poor. The matzo ball soup was similar to dish water and the matzo brie was barely discernible as being made from matzo. When you combine the poor food with the incredibly loud noise, it makes for a one-time visit only.

Horrendous pastrami. At least half the pieces that actually had meat on it contained fat and I even got pieces that were only fat. No excuse to serve it that way. Very unlikely to go back unless they change.

We went to DGS for dinner before the theater. My friends had been there before and recommended it. We enjoyed the food and the extensive beer list. However, the menu was very small and offered few choices. My friends said that was a huge change from their previous visit.

The delicious smell of deli meet greeted me as soon as I walked in the door. Unfortunately, the pastrami was not as good as I remembered it to be. It was tougher, chewier, and not as moist as I would have liked. Hopefully, this was an anomaly from what has otherwise been a go-to for great pastrami in DC.

Food was mediocre and menu very limited. Latkes were too think, perfectly round and overcooked. Applesauce was clearly homemade and very good, as was the chicken liver. Broth for matzo ball soup was very odd. It looked and tasted like French onion soup broth (or at least beef broth), although the waiter assured me it was chicken broth with duck fat, hence the dark brown color (?). I’ve been here before and it’s been better. Probably won’t return.

Solid lunch spot near Dupont Circle and one of the few casual places where you can reserve a table - crucial for a business lunch. Portions are not gargantuan (that is a good thing) and the house made pickles are great. Burger is super juicy and they have a good falafel platter.

New experience for us turned out to be a good one. It was very reminiscent of a New York deli but with more of an upbeat vibe. Overall, the food was well done and timed well. Unfortunately, I ordered a pastrami sandwich that was full of fat. The preparer had not trimmed the meat at all so there were huge hunks of fat. Everything else was very well prepared. Small point but the pickles were so excellent. I’m tired of going to restaurants that give you mushy bread and butter pickles - those were crisp and garlic-y and delicious. The waiter recommended a Porter on tap that was excellent. We would go back, just not order pastrami.

I usually enjoy DGS. I had the smoked salmon grilled cheese and the amount of salmon used could have been enough for one half a sandwich. It was very skimpy. Tasted good, a shame it wasn't very fulfilling.